Pitchers, catchers and Panera

Welcome back. And by that, I mean the five people out there (Hi Mom) who read this blog in 2005, when the Nationals arrived in Washington, I arrived in Viera, Fla., and there was but one sandwich shop within a 100-acre field of Space Coast Stadium.

Now? An Asian noodle place. Some sort of salad joint (Crispers?). Mimi's? Is that a restaurant? (This is what is called "progress" along the Space Coast (more square feet at the Super Target, more places where you can get a meal in a bag, more 7-Elevens so that you only have to drive a half mile instead of an entire mile.)

We'll start with this quick entry, because I have to run to Panera. But if/when I get to it this afternoon, we have much to share. Pitchers and catchers held their first workout this morning, Manny Acta gave his first speech to the team, Chad Cordero and his agent will meet with GM Jim Bowden about a contract this afternoon, and work here at Space Coast Stadium (where the seats are no longer teal, and, in fact, are no longer seats (we'll get to that, too)) continues.

And keep an eye out for plenty of video of Acta's first day at the helm, courtesy of washingtonpost.com's Jonathan Forsythe, who had Acta miked up for the first workout. Good stuff.